Blind is our Carrick replacement - what do people want done with him of we buy another player in that mould? Play him left back? And people wanting to sign a left back confuses me. Its a specialist position, its not like further forward where people can play different positions (Mata, ADM, Rooney, fellaini to an extent play different roles depending on the fame etc), having two left backs when we already have competent solid back up in Rojo and Blind would be totally pointless. We're not signing like 7 players.
Manchester United Summer Transfer Window 2015: What do we still need?
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You think we can get by with Smalling, Jones and Rojo for a full season? That's pretty brave.
@soap personally I don't think Blind is good enough to replace carrick in the long term. Would prefer Scniederlin.
Blind is pretty weak, slow and doesn't have the greatest passing range. Schneiderlin is a good passer and is extremely aggressive at tackling and closing down.
Exactly the kind of player you want to help unleash the likes of Herrera and Gundogan if we get him. Blind is a great squad player though and will be here for years.
[QUOTE="soap, post: 17366194, member: 72417"]Blind is our Carrick replacement - what do people want done with him of we buy another player in that mould? Play him left back? And people wanting to sign a left back confuses me. Its a specialist position, its not like further forward where people can play different positions (Mata, ADM, Rooney, fellaini to an extent play different roles depending on the fame etc), having two left backs when we already have competent solid back up in Rojo and Blind would be totally pointless. We're not signing like 7 players.[/QUOTE]
No he isn't. He's played better at LB than he has at CDM anyway, plus we are definitely buying a midfield player this summer,
No he isn't. He's played better at LB than he has at CDM anyway, plus we are definitely buying a midfield player this summer,
No he isn't. He's played better at LB than he has at CDM anyway, plus we are definitely buying a midfield player this summer,[/QUOTE]
Couldn't disagree more, no way, not even close. He looked exactly like what he is there, solid but definitely not to be relied on long term. The midfielder should be one to give fellaini and Herrera competition, we don't need 3 players for one CDM position .
Is Blind good enough long term? We don't know yet, he's doing well in his first season when he's only 24 though. Why would van Gaal buy a 3rd CDM when we've got Carrick, who he likes very much, and Blind who was his own signing? He even said he bought Blind for midfield, but it's a known fact he likes multifunctional players and Blind played leftback untill his last year at Ajax. He's got a great passing range, he just rather plays it safe. He can still progress this easily to become a better 6.
I think the CM we're buying will be competition for Herrera/Fellaini, since our only other options there are Rooney and Mata (I don't think Di Maria will play much in MF next season). Schneiderlin wouldn't be bad since he'd primarily be cover for 8, but could also play 6.
Carrick hasn't ever been quick or strong either, wouldn't say he's noticeably better than blind in either of those categories.. Granted blind's passing range isn't as good as Carrick's, not many people's are. Definitely has it in him though, made excellent long passes earlier in the season. He's young enough to improve that too.
I just remember Blind having some dodgy games at the bottom of the diamond earlier in the season. He seemed very lightweight for the role.
Maybe it will be better in a 4-3-3 with Fellaini and Herrera next to him. I meant Scniederlin as he can play both roles as you said but after next season he would be able to take over the number 6 position for us.
I hope we buy two midfielders...Gundogan and Scniederlin. Midfield could be sorted for a very long time!
Blind just looks smaller than Carrick, maybe I'm wrong though im not sure. Carrick could dictate games from that position and my thinking was that once he goes we could have Gundogan doing that role. But I think Herrera and Gundogan would benefit a lot more having a formidable defensive midfielder like Schiederlin who also has very good passing. If fellaini wasn't there and we had a more creative smaller player for example I just wonder if we will get overrun by a physical side with blind
He's got the vision and technique to become a very good 6, those are the main things needed for a playmaker. 433 is what he played at Ajax and he was doing fine for them (player of the year), also did great for the Netherlands vs Spain as 6. I don't think van Gaal is willing to write him off after just 1,5 season of playing CDM (since he plays professional football) whilst he's usually been good.
Speed isn't needed for this role, all the other things which he's lacking he can still improve on. I don't think he's above Carrick in the picking order yet, but why would we already buy a replacement when we might already have one?
Carrick is going to be 35/36 in a year so we are going to need a DM anyway. Blind + a new one. If Scniederlin is avalible this summer then we may as well buy him now as he can provide cover for Herrera and fellaini right now as well
I know Carrick needs to be replaced soon, I just don't think that time is now. Carrick has another year in him and Blind will be settled too next year. Usually 2 CDM's should be fine for 1 position. Blind has a great injury record and Carrick used to aswell, although time is catching up with him.
I'm all for Schneiderlin, but mainly as 8. He could be 3rd backup for 6 since I don't think he will get many chances there next season if the other 2 are fit.
Hummels/Godin
Depay/Bale
Gundogan/Vidal/Strootman
The league will be ours.
Depay/Bale
Gundogan/Vidal/Strootman
The league will be ours.
Buy
Bale
Hummels
Schneiderlen
Sell
Nani
Hernandez
Evans
Rafael
Cleverley (contract expires free)
Falcao (loan expires)
Loan
Blackett
Adnan
McNair
Contract extension
DDG
Young
Carrick
Only sell RVP if we are buying a top class replacement failing that a one year extension for him.
Bale
Hummels
Schneiderlen
Sell
Nani
Hernandez
Evans
Rafael
Cleverley (contract expires free)
Falcao (loan expires)
Loan
Blackett
Adnan
McNair
Contract extension
DDG
Young
Carrick
Only sell RVP if we are buying a top class replacement failing that a one year extension for him.
James Ducker is reporting for the Times that the club is hopeful of signing Clyne, Memphis and Hummels for up to £70 million.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article4412696.ece
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article4412696.ece
Would be a very good trio to get, even if I don't think Clyne is anything special. Reminds me of Chelsea's transfer window last season, going for the obvious transfers that everyone felt they needed and ended up getting early. All just make sense and are what we need.
Given the fantastic play of Herrera, Carrick and Blind, I would be comfortable with acquiring another central midfielder for depth. Schneiderlin comes to mind. Pogba just seems like the wrong player for this squad and this manager.
We know about the right back situation.
We can't turn Hummels if the opportunity presents itself, but I really do think Rojo and Smalling will form a great CB partnership. I'd be more than happy with dumping Evans and adding a quality young CB such as LaPorte. Jones can fill in as injuries and suspensions require.
The striker situation really does deserve a separate thread.
We know about the right back situation.
We can't turn Hummels if the opportunity presents itself, but I really do think Rojo and Smalling will form a great CB partnership. I'd be more than happy with dumping Evans and adding a quality young CB such as LaPorte. Jones can fill in as injuries and suspensions require.
The striker situation really does deserve a separate thread.
If the players that are likely to leave according to Ducker do leave, it really will be a new Manchester United squad. You could probably count on one hand the players that were in Ferguson's last season that will still be here next season
Interesting that those 3 cover the positions most of us expect to be reinforced this summer, except for center mid.
Rooney, De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Valencia, Young, Carrick.
Maybe Van Persie and Rafael.
Unlucky
ps, Sorry. Unless....
Here's a summary of what the stuff behind the paywall says (thanks to @Remix):
- 21 players who were around Fergie's first-team squad have left Old Trafford since he retired
- Ten more departures this summer expected, bringing the number up to 30ish (Lindegaard, Amos, Rafael, possibly Evans, Cleverley, Powell, Nani, Hernandez, Henriquez, Will Keane... also doubts over de Gea and Pereira)
- van Gaal targeting 4+ players, with club keen to tie up business early
- Central midfielder remains priority signing but LVG has changed targets after Strootman has been ruled out for the season
- United also in market for an established striker, with Falcao's loan move set to end as just that and van Persie's uncertain future
Hummels
Depay
koke/veratti/pogba/modric/gundogan, calibre CM
De sciglio
Depay
koke/veratti/pogba/modric/gundogan, calibre CM
De sciglio
Hummels
Depay
Clyne
Strootman (as long as he's not injured) or Gundogan
Berahino
Depay
Clyne
Strootman (as long as he's not injured) or Gundogan
Berahino
Rooney,De Gea, Smalling,Jones, Valencia, Young, Carrick.
Maybe Van Persie and Rafael.
Unlucky
ps, Sorry. Unless...
Clyne makes sense, he's at a good age, been excellent and only has 1 year left on his deal. Both he and Valencia are better than Rafael. Hummels and Depay fill two obvious gaps in the squad. £70m for those 3 would be excellent business.
And LVG has already stated that a midfielder to play the 6 is a priority for him so we should have no worries in that regard.
If we bring those three and a midfielder, I'll be very happy and would expect to see some champagne football being played next season... I'm almost giddy at the thought of it
And LVG has already stated that a midfielder to play the 6 is a priority for him so we should have no worries in that regard.
If we bring those three and a midfielder, I'll be very happy and would expect to see some champagne football being played next season... I'm almost giddy at the thought of it
Quote? I remember him saying he wants a midfielder for balance, since we've got plenty of attacking midfielders that's either 8 or 6. Since we've only got one 8 (Herrera) and two 6 (Carrick, Blind) the logical option would be an 8, right?
I agree that those 3 + a midfielder would be a nice transfer window though.
Ah my bad, looking back on the reports you're probably right. Either way I'd be happy
Blind after that game against Arsenal will never play again as CM under LVG
Sounds about right but should be more certain on Evans going. Not sure where we would be getting an established striker from who was willing to play as a back-up.
The thing is we aren't playing with a 6, 8 and 10. We are pretty much playing with a 6 in Carrick and two 8's in Fellaini and Herrera.
Van Gaal always plays with a 6, 8 and 10. He recently said (a few weeks ago) in Dutch media that he can play either with a 6 in front of the defence or with a 10 behind the strikers (point forward or backward, he's used both in his carreer) with 433. Fellaini is a unique 10 that helps out in defence too, so you could say he's sort of an 8, but he still is 10. Currently we're playing with the point backwards, Herrera is 8 and Fellaini slightly more forward as 10.
I doubt we're bringing in a 2nd Fellaini, since I can't think of one. We've got Rooney and Mata who can play 10 if needed (he likes multifunctional players), especially if we're bringing in a new 8 who's better defensively than Herrera. The thing is we've got no backup for Herrera right now and a MF 3 of Carrick-Herrera-Mata is too lightweight. If we're bringing in for example Schneiderlin as 8 this would give him more options, since he could then play Mata as 10 if needed.
I'm not sure if he's going to do this, but it makes the most sense. Why buy a 4th 10, or a 3rd 6 when we've only got one 8?
The bolded part is incorrect, the only difference between their average positions is that one is to the left of Carrick and one is to the right (around 15 yards further forward). They play almost exactly parallel, with both contributing equally defensively and offensively.
We have Blind & Carrick who can play as a 6; Herrera & Fellaini who are playing as an 8 (Blind can also fill in here) ; and Mata/Rooney/Januzaj who can play as a 10 (although we don't play with a 10 in our current system).
Remind me how many games Januzaj has played as a 10?
Well that's where Moyes said his natural position was and as the manager who brought him into the fold I tend to trust him (although I don't watch the academy to know for sure). He's been tried as a winger, a number 8 and a number 10, but I wouldn't say he was an out and out winger and certainly isn't a number 8.
In terms of our squad we have the following player's that can play in "midfield" (ie 6, 8 or 10) we have:
Carrick
Blind
Herrera
Fellaini
Rooney
Mata
Di Maria
Januzaj
Even if you discount Januzaj and class Rooney as solely a striker you're looking at 6 player's competing for 3 positions. We're more than covered.
He played his best game this year against Burnley, and that was as as a #10.
That difference in position is the difference between 8 and 10 if you play with the point backwards. Fellaini has played as 8 this season but wasn't great, he can't pass long like Herrera can. Like I said: van Gaal always plays with 6, 8 and 10. Fellaini is unique in the sense that he does alot of defensive work for a 10, so you could say he's 8, but he's not. Van Gaal said he's playing at 10, which by the way usually is his most important player (always has been in his carreer) so I seriously doubt he's playing without one.
Blind isn't suited for 8 either, I've seen him play since his Ajax days and he's suited for CDM and LB. He's not physical enough for 8, his smart positioning helps him out as a CDM but when you're box-to-box this becomes increasingly difficult since the area he has to cover becomes bigger.
A midfield 3 of Carrick-Fellaini-Rooney/Mata isn't as good as we've currently got. That's why I assume we'll bring in another 8 and not a 10 or 6.
What you are saying doesn't really make sense:
That difference in position is the difference between 8 and 10 if you play with the point backwards What does this mean? Again Fellaini and Herrera are completely parallel.
Fellaini has played as 8 this season but wasn't great He's playing an identical position currently to Herrera, just on the opposite side of the pitch. This is backed up by his average position in the last 5 games.
If Fellaini is currently playing as a number 10, then Herrera is also playing as a number 10 on the other side. Likewise if they are playing as a number 8. I don't understand how you can have two identical positions on each side of the pitch and just arbitrarily say that one is a "number 10" and one is a "number 8".
Well obviously a 3 of Carrick-Fellaini-Rooney isn't as good as what we have already got. Valdes isn't as good as De Gea it doesn't mean that we have to try and buy Neuer. For us to play that three would mean Herrera and Mata were injured, obviously if some of your best player's are injured your first team is weakened.
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Even though they are parallel when defending, Herrera is deeper than Fellaini in position so that he can help build up play. Fellaini is further forward where in his case he will act as a target man. Had it been Sneijder in Fellainis position he would have used his vision and passing to make things happen.
Looks like this in possession:
Looks like this in possession:
Carrick
Herrera------------
---------Fellaini
Herrera------------
---------Fellaini
We're only one or two signings away from literally having two great teams, first the team that has brought recent succes:
Then with two or three signing we could field a completely different 11. Except for Rooney, because the captain always plays.
Obviously we are looking at reinforcing our midfield first, since Van Gaal made comments about that. It makes sense too because it's odds on us being fecked if something happens to Carrick, though we could still win games with Blind, Ander or Fella playing his position, but it's not ideal. My guess: someone like Vidal or Schneiderlin. But who knows?
Last summer Van Gaal also said it was quite obvious we want to strengthen our defense. Hummels is a player who'd bring something different and he's better than Evans. But having Smalling, Jones and Rojo is already great, their injuries are the main concern. Rafael could be replaced with Clyne if he's unhappy or Van Gaal doesn't trust him. But given the fact that Van Gaal used Young and Rafael at LB too this season, I can see him wanting Rafael for another season, so it depends on Rafael himself. My guess: we try to sign Hummels and if Rafael wants out Clyne makes sene. However, with Klopp possibly going to City, it might be difficult to obtain Hummels.
As for our attack, it will be very interesting what will happen regarding Memphis Depay. Smashley and Mata's current form and Adnan+ Di Maria makes that we're well stocked in the winger department. Does Memphis want to be a rotation player, or does he want to be a guaranteed starter at Spurs or Liverpool or whatever lower level club? Anyway, if we/Van Gaal wants him, we'll get him for sure so it's just a matter of wait and see. Players like Blackett, McNair and Wilson might be loaned out.
Having said all that, and obviously depending on how much City, Chelsea, but also very much Arsenal will strengthen their squad, I actually think we're quite good already. If it weren't for our poor start, we would've already challenged for the title this season with this squad. We can still improve as a team, results were great and we've peaked a bit, but imagine our midfielders scoring like in the last games, plus setting up Rooney properly once or twice, then we'd have scored even more goals. That's the next step.
Then with two or three signing we could field a completely different 11. Except for Rooney, because the captain always plays.
Obviously we are looking at reinforcing our midfield first, since Van Gaal made comments about that. It makes sense too because it's odds on us being fecked if something happens to Carrick, though we could still win games with Blind, Ander or Fella playing his position, but it's not ideal. My guess: someone like Vidal or Schneiderlin. But who knows?
Last summer Van Gaal also said it was quite obvious we want to strengthen our defense. Hummels is a player who'd bring something different and he's better than Evans. But having Smalling, Jones and Rojo is already great, their injuries are the main concern. Rafael could be replaced with Clyne if he's unhappy or Van Gaal doesn't trust him. But given the fact that Van Gaal used Young and Rafael at LB too this season, I can see him wanting Rafael for another season, so it depends on Rafael himself. My guess: we try to sign Hummels and if Rafael wants out Clyne makes sene. However, with Klopp possibly going to City, it might be difficult to obtain Hummels.
As for our attack, it will be very interesting what will happen regarding Memphis Depay. Smashley and Mata's current form and Adnan+ Di Maria makes that we're well stocked in the winger department. Does Memphis want to be a rotation player, or does he want to be a guaranteed starter at Spurs or Liverpool or whatever lower level club? Anyway, if we/Van Gaal wants him, we'll get him for sure so it's just a matter of wait and see. Players like Blackett, McNair and Wilson might be loaned out.
Having said all that, and obviously depending on how much City, Chelsea, but also very much Arsenal will strengthen their squad, I actually think we're quite good already. If it weren't for our poor start, we would've already challenged for the title this season with this squad. We can still improve as a team, results were great and we've peaked a bit, but imagine our midfielders scoring like in the last games, plus setting up Rooney properly once or twice, then we'd have scored even more goals. That's the next step.
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